A diagnosis of depression in adulthood could more than double your risk of developing dementia in older age, according to a new study. But the latest study shows a connection between dementia risk and depression diagnoses in early and mid-life as well. “Our results therefore provide strong evidence that depression is not only an early symptom of dementia, but also that depression increases dementia risk,” she said. “For example, there may be shared common risk factors for depression and dementia that occur earlier in the lifecourse, depression may increase dementia risk through alterations in levels of key neurotransmitters, or depression may lead to changes in health behaviors that in turn increase risk for dementia,” she added in an email. Regardless of dementia risk, treating depression should be a priority, Elser agreed.

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Persons: Holly Elser, Natalie Marchant, Marchant, Elser, ”, ” Elser, ” Marchant Organizations: CNN, University of Pennsylvania, University College London